October, 2009

WASHINGTON – The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) released the following statement today in response to the unveiling of the House health care bill:

“For the countless hard-working families across the country suffering at the hands of our nation’s badly broken health care system, the unveiling of the House health care bill today represents a decisive milestone in the fight to ensure access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

“It ensures a strong public insurance option, makes access to insurance more affordable for families and is financed in a manner that will not tax the middle class. It also ensures responsibility from employers by making sure they pay their fair share and accountability from insurance companies so that they can no longer deny insurance to individuals with pre-existing conditions.

“It is now incumbent on all of us to continue our efforts to make certain that the framework of the House bill becomes law. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that the high priced lobbyists and defenders of the status quo cannot pollute the process with their misinformation and distortions.

“Today was an important and monumental milestone, but the hard work has just begun. We must continue to organize and mobilize our communities across the country. We must continue to educate and build nationwide support for this critical issue. Together, we can – and we will – make the dream of real health care reform a reality.”

Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 86D gathered to ask the company if members can return to work. The crowd included union members, their friends and family and other union members from the area who participated in the event.